Letters to the editor - May 13, 2013

Published: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 11:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 11:00 p.m.

Lessons from Israel

My wife asked a very good question last night.

Israel has the highest percentage of females in their military of all of our allies. We never hear about numerous sexual assaults on female Israeli soldiers, so why don't we ask them what they do to keep this under control.

It seems to me that they are a very good military, maybe we can learn something.

Richard J. Pavero, Southport

Paying for Hospice care

A recent letter to the editor suggests hospice care is jeopardized by a "sequestration cut" to reimbursements. It admonishes: "This is not the time to manipulate numbers, and in turn manipulate the end results for patients." I agree. Let's look at some numbers not presented.

An increase of 1.6 percent was granted for 2013. Reimbursement rates are adjusted annually for changes in local labor rates. (According to information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid), labor accounts for 69 percent of the cost of home care, 64 percent of General Inpatient Care 54 percent of inpatient respite care. … The hourly rate for home care is $37.32/hour, prior to labor rate adjustment. The aggregate annual reimbursement cap of $25,377.01 per patient is indexed for inflation. Future rates will reflect an annual "efficiency improvement" of 0.3 percent, suspended under certain conditions.I conclude that the hospice industry is well-protected against inflation. They've been given a very modest target for efficiency improvement, compared to what those vying for private customers, not public funding, must achieve to survive.

Only the most poorly managed hospice providers, if any, will fail due to the 2 percent sequestration cut. Hospice care will continue to be available. Sequestration cuts to entitlement programs: Yes.

Tom Newcomb, Wilmington

Lame excuse from White House

The feeble excuse by the Obama regime that it was useless to send fighter jets or any other military assets in time to protect American lives under terrorist attack in Benghazi is inexcusable. … Was this a tacit admission that administration officials knew our ambassador and the others were virtually defenseless and could not hold out very long because earlier pleas for protection were rejected? Was anyone in the Obama regime worried that the truth would harm Obama's presidential campaign? …

Imagine what would happen if a fire department refused to immediately answer a call for a building engulfed in flames with occupants inside using the excuse that the fire is so far advanced they probably couldn't get there in time to save any lives. Would we accept such a lame excuse? The media would fan the flames, pun intended, until the fire department official making such an irresponsible and deadly decision was exposed and punished.

The lack of interest by the media in uncovering facts surrounding Benghazi that might reflect negatively on an American president during an election is un-American.

<p class="bold allcaps">Lessons from Israel</p>
<p>My wife asked a very good question last night.</p><p>Israel has the highest percentage of females in their military of all of our allies. We never hear about numerous sexual assaults on female Israeli soldiers, so why don't we ask them what they do to keep this under control.</p><p>It seems to me that they are a very good military, maybe we can learn something. </p><p><i>Richard J. Pavero, Southport</i></p><h3>Paying for Hospice care</h3>
<p>A recent letter to the editor suggests hospice care is jeopardized by a "sequestration cut" to reimbursements. It admonishes: "This is not the time to manipulate numbers, and in turn manipulate the end results for patients." I agree. Let's look at some numbers not presented. </p><p>An increase of 1.6 percent was granted for 2013. Reimbursement rates are adjusted annually for changes in local labor rates. (According to information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid), labor accounts for 69 percent of the cost of home care, 64 percent of General Inpatient Care 54 percent of inpatient respite care. … The hourly rate for home care is $37.32/hour, prior to labor rate adjustment. The aggregate annual reimbursement cap of $25,377.01 per patient is indexed for inflation. Future rates will reflect an annual "efficiency improvement" of 0.3 percent, suspended under certain conditions.I conclude that the hospice industry is well-protected against inflation. They've been given a very modest target for efficiency improvement, compared to what those vying for private customers, not public funding, must achieve to survive. </p><p>Only the most poorly managed hospice providers, if any, will fail due to the 2 percent sequestration cut. Hospice care will continue to be available. Sequestration cuts to entitlement programs: Yes.</p><p><i>Tom Newcomb, Wilmington</i></p><h3>Lame excuse from White House</h3>
<p>The feeble excuse by the Obama regime that it was useless to send fighter jets or any other military assets in time to protect American lives under terrorist attack in Benghazi is inexcusable. … Was this a tacit admission that administration officials knew our ambassador and the others were virtually defenseless and could not hold out very long because earlier pleas for protection were rejected? Was anyone in the Obama regime worried that the truth would harm Obama's presidential campaign? …</p><p>Imagine what would happen if a fire department refused to immediately answer a call for a building engulfed in flames with occupants inside using the excuse that the fire is so far advanced they probably couldn't get there in time to save any lives. Would we accept such a lame excuse? The media would fan the flames, pun intended, until the fire department official making such an irresponsible and deadly decision was exposed and punished.</p><p>The lack of interest by the media in uncovering facts surrounding Benghazi that might reflect negatively on an American president during an election is un-American.</p><p><i>Austin Mozingo, Wilmington</p><p></i></p>